Sellers of these gorillas, as well as a variety of other colossal inflatables — some standing 30 feet tall and costing $4,000-plus

— received bad news from the Houston City Council.

The City Council voted Wednesday to ban the use of “attention-getting devices” for commercial purposes. The ban goes into effect Jan. 1, 2010.

A Chronicle story reports that Mayor Bill White, who voted in favor of the ban, said it’s about more than taste:

The giant balloons generate complaints to city officials from residents and drive down property values in the neighborhoods where they are used, he said. “We want to try to improve the physical appearance of the city,” he added.

Arguments based on public safety — the balloons being distractions to drivers

— also were made.

Opponents of the ban say people’s rights are violated:

“It’s simply aesthetic preferences being cloaked by the so-called concern for public safety,” said Barry Klein, president of the nonprofit Houston Property Rights Association. “What you are actually doing is interfering with people’s rights, as well as consumers’ welfare.”

If you’ve noticed (I’m guessing in anticipation of this ban), many advertising ballons removed before Hurricane Ike have not been remounted.

Do you think the ban on advertising balloons is a good decision?

Do giant inflatables help a dealership draw attention, and stand out from those with unadorned roofs?